Music megastar Sting has taken to social media to promote a single featuring hundreds of North children.

A song featuring hundreds of North schoolchildren has won the support of international music megastar Sting.

The Tyneside-born musician has been putting his promotional clout behind the single, Border to the River, before the song's release by Newcastle College's record label, Push Puzzle Records, tomorrow.

The song features the voices and instruments of children from across Newcastle and The Northumbrian Ranters.

Sting was born in Wallsend, as Gordon Matthew Sumner in 1951. His mum Audrey was a hairdresser and dad Ernest was a milkman. He became interested in playing music during his teens, practising at the Buddle Arts Centre and recording at the Impulse Sound Studios in Wallsend. And he has never forgotten his roots and realises the importance of youngsters being given opportunities in the music business.

He is now lending his support to the Music Partnership North between Newcastle and Northumberland music services, Newcastle College and Sage Gateshead.

Sting, who has been Tweeting about the single's upcoming release, said: "From the first moment I picked up a guitar as a young boy in Wallsend, music has been the most important part of my life. Music Partnership North will give children across the North East the chance to discover a lifelong love of music. The region has a great creative atmosphere and legacy and as this song demonstrates, music is very much alive and an important part of people's lives."

The song will also be played before Newcastle's game against Crystal Palace next Saturday. It will be available to download from tomorrow through digital music retailers, such as iTunes, Amazon, Google and Spotify.

All revenue generated will go to Music Partnership North to promote music making through similar projects in the region's schools.

(c) Evening Chronicle by Ruth Lognonne